Unsurprisingly, the Maori were attracted to settle here, and today the region remains a stronghold of the Arawa people. Visitors can learn about their culture, song and dance and attend a traditional hangi, where food is steamed in an earth oven, then served to guests. The perfect way to complement these activities are to visit to the replica village, the Rotorua Museum and Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.
Those who prefer a wilder experience can try out some water-based activities like kayaking, rafting or white-water sledging, or fish for trout in the sparkling lakes including Rainbow Springs Trout and Wildlife Sanctuary, for which the region is famous. For those looking simply to explore the area, the redwood forests near to town offer some lovely trails for walking and cycling.
The geothermal attractions of Rotorua are matched in every way by those of the surrounding valley of Waimangu much of which was devastated in the 1886 eruption of Tarawera, whose craters and rugged peaks overlook the valley.
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Northland